How to create a routine to strengthen your self-image and break through blocks.
Self-image – the idea you have of your own ability, appearance, and personality – has a huge impact on how you move through life. It sets the foundation for what you believe you deserve and are capable of in life.
The Self Image Is Powerful Stuff.
Can you imagine what might happen if you could alter your self-belief to be more positive?
Self-esteem work is an important part of my coaching work. In this blog post, I’ll take you through some of the steps I use with my transformation clients so you can begin to shift your self-image.
Why Self-Image Matters
I know full well how self-esteem can make or break your progress in life. When I was younger, my own self-esteem was so low that it held me back at school and got in the way of my sporting career.
Perhaps you have a similar story.
It was only through a breakthrough and a lot of work that I built my self-esteem (and now have a beautiful wife, two fantastic boys, and a successful business that changes lives!)
I’m fundamentally the same person. What’s changed is how I view myself.
What Creates Self-Image
Like so many things, self-image comes from our early experiences and relationships. Your beliefs about yourself (and perhaps abut “people like you” in general) are based on what you saw happening around you and the response you got whenever you pushed yourself.
As you get older, this can severely impact how you handle challenges and view opportunities.
- Poor self-image breaks you down
- Healthy self-image builds you up
Building A Better Self-Image
One of my go-to books on this topic is Dr Maxwell Maltz’s “Psycho-Cybernetics” (1).
He says: “The brain tells us what we can do based on what has happened in the past. Changing your self-image is changing the picture of yourself, which can be done through daily practice of visualisation and imagination.”
The concept of visualisation (“mental movies”) runs through this book and now forms a major part of my self-image work with clients.
Visualisation for healthy self-image
The brain can’t tell the difference between reality and imagination. If you can imagine something vividly enough, your brain will respond in the same way as if it was actually happening. Isn’t that amazing? It means most of our self-image work can be done in the mind.
Your 3-Step Self-Image Process
- Affirmation of your values, beliefs, goals, and habits
- Visualisation – vividly imagining yourself having your goals
- Repetition – embedding this process for healthier self-image
Write Down The Following:
-Your core values
-3-5 positive beliefs about yourself and your capabilities.
-3-5 good habits you have around health, food, fitness.
-Your goal (as if it has already happened).
-If you need some help with any of these, check out my blog for articles about values, beliefs, habits, and goal setting.
Your Daily Self-Image Routine
Set aside time every day to read through the things you’ve written down. Try to find a regular time (first thing in the morning works well for me).
Then choose one thing you want to focus on in your visualisation for the day (it might be your goal, or feeling confident in a particular situation).
Spend 5-10 minutes sitting quietly and visualising this success.
Bring to mind 2-3 things you are grateful for.
And then you are ready to get on with your day, in the knowledge that you are actively taking care of your self-esteem in a powerful way.
I hope this introduction to self-image routines was useful.
I have lots of extra resources and advice to give – reach out anytime if you want help with your self-image.
Speak soon,
Coach Joseph Webb.
‘The number one rated Personal Trainer In Henley and Oxfordshire’
NOTES: Here’s the link to the psycho-cybernetics website referenced in this blog:
(1) https://www.psycho-cybernetics.com/
The book is available to buy now on Amazon.co.uk
